Tips to avoid drowsy driving accidents

No matter where you’re driving in Connecticut, it’s important to get adequate sleep. Drowsy driving is so dangerous that it has been compared to drunk driving. If a driver misses a certain amount of sleep, their awareness and judgment is impaired, and their reaction time is decreased.

Get enough sleep before driving

The number of hours each person needs to sleep varies, but no one should be getting fewer than seven before driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night while teenagers need 8 to 10 hours.

Don’t drive continuously for longer than two hours

If you’re taking a long road trip, stopping about every two hours for a break is a good rule of thumb. Stopping doesn’t mean you have to take a power nap. Simply stretching and moving your limbs a little can improve blood circulation and decrease drowsiness.

Drive with a buddy in your front seat

Traveling with someone can help you to stay safe on long drives, even if your front seat passenger doesn’t take a turn behind the wheel. A travel buddy who stays awake with you can monitor you for signs of drowsiness and help you to avoid car accidents.

Avoid sedatives while driving

There are many prescription medications that increase sleepiness and should be avoided before driving. If you are already a little tired, taking certain medications can make drowsy driving even worse.

Beware of drowsy drivers on the road

You can do a lot to prevent your own drowsy driving, but there’s no way to stop other drivers from hitting the road on five hours of sleep. If you were injured by the negligence of another driver, it’s possible that the driver was impaired by a lack of sleep. You may be able to file a person injury claim against the drowsy driver and seek compensation for your damages.